Sidel EvoFILL PET – unparalleled water quality in a compact design
By introducing the EvoFILL PET – its new filler for water and still beverages – packaging solutions leader Sidel has taken a further step forward with its filling innovations.
The space-saving filler can handle high production speeds of up to 90,000 bottles per hour (bph) with a footprint that is 15 per cent smaller.
The compact new design offers enhanced hygiene and quality, while also improving sustainability and contributing to a reduced total cost of ownership.
“The simplified configuration of the EvoFILL PET, which includes a reduced number of transfer star wheels and a more compact front table and process unit, makes it easier to operate, maintain and clean,” explains Tommaso Tegoni, product manager filling, at Sidel. “These factors contribute to optimal hygiene, which is very important to all our customers. Its unique architecture makes it best-in-class.”
EvoFILL PET is made for a growing market as the water industry is expanding rapidly, especially in countries like China, India, and Turkey, where it’s the fastest-growing category driving PET growth.
Consumer packaging choices are influenced by various factors, including ergonomic needs, lifestyle preferences, sustainability claims, and budget constraints. Customers must also consider local legislation, product positioning, logistics, and evolving consumer perceptions. Notably, family pack consumption is on the rise, while single-serve formats are decreasing. Health and price remain key considerations for bottled water (sources: Mintel Market Sizes and Lightspeed/Mintel).
The ergonomic design ensures a consistent and repeatable performance that can be used by operators of all skill levels. EvoFILL PET’s reduced filler enclosure offers a controlled environment for flowmeter contactless filling, assuring product safety and quality, while preserving bottle integrity with gentle neck handling. Starting at 24 and ranging up to 144 filling valves, with various pitch and filler diameter sizes, EvoFILL PET can handle a wide range of speeds as well as bottle sizes from 0.1 to 10 litres.
Format changeovers have been further simplified in both manual and automatic modes and can be performed in less than five minutes. The filler can be integrated within Sidel’s Combi and Super Combi complete systems and can also be linked with the company’s Evo-ON digital intelligence platform to monitor and improve all aspects of the filling parameters and performance.
EvoFILL PET has been designed to enhance productivity on PET water bottling lines. The improved accessibility enables faster format changeovers and cleaning operations, reducing downtime.
Cleaning has also been made more sustainable: the integrated CIP system reduces energy by around 25 per cent (installed power from 120kW to 90kW vs previous models), while also cutting both water and chemical consumption by 12 per cent (evaluation based on 3 step COP process – bottle way, average filler size (Dp2880). The EvoFILL PET’s compact size brings further sustainability benefits, with fewer components enabling less maintenance operation.
EvoFILL PET’s new design, lower operational costs and reduced planned downtime all add up to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). EvoFILL PET is built for an extended lifespan, with efficiency rates of up to 99 per cent.
